Surviving a Motorcycle Accident: Scott Martin's Story

A few tranquil moments at the end of a busy work day — that's what Scott Martin was looking for on May 5, 2023, when he hopped on his motorcycle and headed to a lake near his Holly Springs home. 

It was around 3:30 in the afternoon, and traffic was building up with school dismissal. Scott approached an intersection and waited until it was his turn to go. 

A Joy-Ride Turned Wrong

"I proceeded into the four-way stop, and a driver from my left ran the stop sign at 30-plus miles an hour, crashing into me while I was in the middle of the intersection."

Scott went flying through the air and then crashed onto the ground, skidding on his side about 15 to 20 feet. The shield on his full-face helmet exploded on impact, flying into the air. His titanium jacket protected his shoulders and back, but he suffered road burn and multiple fractures to other parts of his body.

 

"When I stopped, I was spitting rocks and broken teeth out of my mouth because my shield was gone. I rolled over to sit up as I'd been contemplating how I'd now miss my 30th wedding anniversary, my son's graduation and a trip I'd won at work. Angry, I tried to get up, but I quickly realized that was not going to happen."

Emergency Services to the Rescue

Two nurses in different vehicles ran to the scene of the accident. They told Scott to remain still and asked an onlooker to call 911. Scott gave the onlooker his wife's name and phone number, so she could be notified. 

"The nurses ordered me to lie still. They could see my left foot was twisted outward and turning white due to lost blood flow. They did not tell me, which was good because I probably would have gone into shock." 

Emergency medical services (EMS) arrived on the scene and transported Scott to WakeMed Cary Hospital Emergency Department. Cary Hospital — the only full-service hospital in Cary, North Carolina — boasts a Level 3 Trauma Center and allows quick access for residents of Southern and Western Wake County and surrounding areas.

A Contemplative Moment

Scott's wife arrived and followed the ambulance to the hospital.

"When my wife got the call, she assumed that I had put a friend up to playing a joke on her, but soon she realized this was serious. This collision taught me something so important about being present in life. I realized I didn't tell her I loved her before I left. I didn't kiss her goodbye. I didn't say anything to my kids because I thought I was going to be right back."

Motorcyclists Injuries and Fatalities

According to 2020 data from the National Highway Safety Administration, a staggering 34 percent of motorcycle collisions result in fatality for the cyclist. Upwards of 80 percent result in either injury or death. Scott realized the situation could have been dire. 

In Good Hands at Cary Hospital Level 3 Trauma Center

Upon arrival to Cary Hospital, he was taken to Imaging Services for a full computed tomography (CT) body scan. Scott learned that his hip was fractured in nine parts. His left leg was broken at the knee. His left foot was broken in five parts. His right wrist was also broken. Once his emergency medical team had him stabilized, Scott was introduced to Justin Kauk, MD, a Wake Orthopaedic trauma surgeon.

"I remember the emergency medicine physican, Robert Sang Hoon Park, MD, telling me that what he had to do was going to hurt because he had to pop my hip back into socket to prepare me for surgery. Then, I met Dr. Kauk. He explained everything he was going to do and in what order. He had the best bedside manner."

Before Dr. Kauk could operate, the team had to address an aneurysm discovered during imaging. It resulted from a hit to his chest during the collision.

"Anesthesia insisted that the aneurysm be addressed first. Thereafter, Dr. Kauk told me that over the next few weeks, he would operate on my hip, then my wrist, then my knee and last my foot. Between each procedure, he and the care team had to monitor me and wait for the swelling to go down."

Each of Scott's trauma surgeries were successful.

Dr. Kauk comments, "Scott has come a long way since we first met! He sustained multiple injuries to more than one extremity, including his right wrist as well as his left hip, left knee and left foot. Each fracture required surgery to repair, with some requiring multiple procedures to initially stabilize and then to definitively treat. While one injury presents its set of challenges, having more than one requires intensive ongoing rehabilitation. The physical and mental recuperation after an accident such as he experienced, can be ongoing, but the motivation and effort he put forward to recover from his injuries has been inspiring!" 

On May 26, he was transported to the WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital at Raleigh Campus. 

Reflecting on the extensive surgeries and long hospital stay, Scott shares, "I owe everything to Dr. Kauk. He'll say that I did the hard work, but I couldn't have gotten to the point of going to rehab without his skillfulness and mastery in putting me back together again. I feel blessed that our acquaintance was made and that he took care of me. I deeply respect him. I wouldn't go to any orthopedic surgeon ever other than him. He owned my care from start to finish and that put me at ease. It gave me one less thing to worry about."

Scott also was able to celebrate the big events he was excited about, just in a different way. He saw his son graduate virtually. He spent a quiet 30th anniversary in the hospital with his wife. He missed the trip he won through his work, but he felt grateful to be alive.

Mobility and Strength Restored through WakeMed Rehabilitation

Scott worked with several different occupational and physical therapists over the next two weeks. His team included occupational therapists, Ashley Frazier, Maggie Lazzarotti, James Flanagan and Kelly Kucin. His physical therapy team included Whitney Kuras, Maureen Harden, Nicolle Lang and Brittany Lynn.

He was discharged on June 9 with tools to help him manage life until he was released to bear weight on his leg again. 

"They helped me with stretching, hopping and visualizing. With the latter, they used a mirror as a visualization technique to cause my mind to think about the other leg and not be in pain."

Once Scott was discharged home, WakeMed Home Health visited him three days per week, helping with tasks around his house as he continued with home exercises to help regain his strength. By August, he was finally released to bear weight on his left leg.

After his stitches were removed, Dr. Kauk noted that Scott had an infection. He had to return to the hospital. 

"I saw Dr. Kauk on a Friday and that Tuesday, July 4, I was back in the hospital to have a Peripherally Inserted Central Catheter (PICC) line put in. I was on the beautiful fifth floor at Cary Hospital and hopeful I would see fireworks from my room. The team took care of me like family. I really enjoyed my stay and all the time spent at WakeMed Cary Hospital."

Scott remained in the hospital until that Friday, and he received treatment for the infection for a total of six weeks. 

A Return to the People and the Life He Loves

By September, he was able to return to work part-time. By October 31, he returned full-time. Scott's work involves physician recruiting, and he works as a senior sales manager. Considering his personal experience as a patient, his work is that much more meaningful. 

Scott has decided not to return to riding a motorcycle, but he now exercises regularly to remain mobile, in good health and manage minor residual pain. He is grateful for each day he enjoys with his wife and their four children.

 

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About WakeMed Cary Hospital

WakeMed Cary Hospital — the only full-service hospital in Cary, NC — brings advanced medical care and innovative technology to one of the top-rated places to live in the nation. Conveniently located for residents of Southern and Western Wake County, it serves as a regional epicenter for specialized medical services and comprehensive care. The hospital is accredited by the esteemed Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals and has won numerous awards for superior service and compassionate care.

About WakeMed Home Health

The best medical and rehabilitative home health care comes with connections — strong and reliable ones that keep you attached to a wealth of expertise.

Employing the highest quality staff, WakeMed Home Health provides comprehensive care to patients in their home environment.

About Wake Orthopaedics

Our orthopaedic surgeons and specialists offer the highest quality care for pediatric and adult patients. Our practices provide a full range of orthopaedic services including advanced diagnostic imaging, innovative treatment options, minimally invasive and traditional procedures, and rehabilitation services. Whether it be recovering from a broken bone, joint replacement surgery, a sports injury or a fracture – our goal is to get you back to doing the things you love.

Visit Wake Orthopaedics

About WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital

The WakeMed Rehabilitation team of accomplished professionals specialize in treating adults and children who have experienced a stroke, brain injury, spinal cord injury, orthopaedic issue, trauma, or limb loss through CARF-accredited programs. They share your goal: to regain as much independence and mobility as possible. They use the latest rehab techniques and technology and educate both patients and their family members to restore quality of life. Our medical directors also maintain lifelong relationships with patients to ensure their needs are met as they age. The WakeMed Rehabilitation Hospital, a 98-bed nationally recognized rehabilitation hospital, is located in Raleigh, NC and serves patients throughout the southeastern United States.

About WakeMed Trauma Centers

Trauma isn’t something you plan for. It’s unexpected. In the blink of an eye, your life, or the life of someone you love, can be changed forever. A car accident, a fall, fire or drowning — the list of possible traumatic events is endless. And the toll it takes on a family can last a lifetime.

So, while you may not be planning for trauma, we are. As Wake County’s only provider of trauma services and a regional trauma referral center, our two trauma centers — a Level I Trauma Center at Raleigh Campus and a Level III Trauma Center at Cary Hospital — and the WakeMed Trauma teams are standing ready to provide immediate care for the seriously injured.